Diluted Spartans eye Tech

December 19, 2009

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio says his suspension-plagued Spartans have plenty of resolve to win their Alamo Bowl matchup with Texas Tech. Now they just need a way to solve the Red Raiders' high-powered passing game, ranked second in the nation with 380.7 yards per game. "It's a great challenge, probably the biggest we've had yet," Dantonio said Friday of his third bowl appearance in three years at Michigan State. "With the circumstances we have and the team we're playing, we'll be very motivated." But possibly undermanned: The Spartans will be without their No. 2 and No. 3 wide receivers, B.J. Cunningham and Mark Dell, and their No. 1 cornerback, Chris L. Rucker. All were charged with assault or assault and battery for a Nov. 22 dormitory fight. In all, Michigan State has suspended 11 players and dismissed two others in the wake of the fight. "When you have a problem, it involves one of two things -- a lack of discipline or a lack of maturity," Dantonio said. "You've got to be held accountable. But something good will come out of this, I promise you. Every experience you have will change you." He also added that his role as coach is to give players "opportunities to grow as people." "There are very, very few truly bad people," he said. "What you have are people who make bad choices. Those choices can impact you over a lifetime. But I want to be a teacher, not a warden." Dantonio also had to answer questions about whether his Spartans (6-6, 4-4 Big Ten) will be ready for the Jan. 2 game with Texas Tech (8-4, 5-3 Big 12). Michigan State has been a different team in its bowl preparation, and not just because it has had to shuffle some people to new positions. The Spartans have had to scramble to prepare for a system that few teams can simulate. Texas Tech averages 36.7 points per game and it does it mostly through the air. Red Raiders quarterback Taylor Potts has completed 65.6 percent of his throws for 3,068 yards and 20 touchdowns. Part of that answer could be to answer each score with the Big Ten's No. 1 passing attack, led by quarterback Kirk Cousins and all-conference receiver Blair White. "Texas Tech does a combination of things very well," Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi said. "They're a little like Northwestern. Potts is a good quarterback. Their base concept is to find grass. Their receivers expect to get open on every play. And they're very tough to sack." Meanwhile, the Spartans must protect Cousins and shorten the game with the players left in uniform. Contrary to the joke that's circulating, Michigan State didn't run an ad in the school paper asking for players. "No doubt, (the incident) set us back," Dantonio said. "It was a very, very unfortunate situation that didn't have to happen. But we have some strong leaders on this team. They'll get ready to go and will impact other people. We'll survive. We'll be fine. We'll be ready to win."